TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) confirmed its Chiayi-class patrol vessel Hsinchu has docked in Honolulu Harbor at a Legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee meeting on Wednesday (June 12).  

CGA Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) said the Hsinchu is conducting its first patrol mission in the Pacific this year and everything is proceeding normally, Liberty Times reported. He explained the Hsinchu is the largest active patrol vessel with long endurance and is equipped with medical facilities, making it well-suited for long-range patrol missions.

However, he said details of the mission could not be publicly disclosed and could only be shared privately with the legislators.

The Hsinchu set sail from Taipei Harbor last month to carry out a long-range patrol to protect Taiwan's fisheries. The journey will last over a month and cover more than 18,520 km.

The patrol mission is conducted up to three times a year, typically using 1,000-ton CGA ships. Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said that deploying a larger ship highlights Taiwan's commitment to fulfilling its international responsibilities and ensuring the safety of Taiwanese fishing vessels.